Monday, December 27, 2010

One reason we were excited to move to Boise was to be only a 6 hour drive from my parents home. Unfortunately, this 6 hours turned into an 11 hour ordeal. Two hours of which was being stuck in the middle of the Blue Mountains behind a terrible wreck. The kids did great, but I have to say, I'm rethinking the whole minivan thing. It would have made for a much more comfortable ride.

And lastly, CONGRATS to my baby sister who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Lee. What a wonderful Christmas gift for our family. Molly, you will be a wonderful mother. And Sam, I will never wrap your birthday gift in Christmas paper. I promise.

Monday, December 20, 2010

The countdown is on! Less than a week til Christmas! We are busy busy busy. I spoke at a Christmas dinner a couple days ago, and now that that's over, I feel totally relaxed and ready get these holidays on.

Lydia and I have spent a few afternoons baking and packaging up goodies. There's nothing like the smell of baking cookies to get you in the spirit.

My favorite recipes that found their way into the treat box:

Mace Bundt Cake. (DO NOT over cook! It dries it right out)Sugar Cookies. This is one thing I make really well. Again, better to slightly undercook.Fudge. My first time making it, but this recipe is golden.Lace Cookies. Pretty and yummy.

I could eat these all day.

Christmas goodies are nice, but the sweetest things at my house are my cutie pies.

Note to self. Take Sunday photos before Church. Lydia's hair was originally in a french twist. Though I kind of like it this way.

Collin has a propensity of rearranging the ornaments. Note to self. Take photo of Christmas tree before toddler wrecking ball gets to it.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Only seems fitting to dress up our new bed for the holidays. Especially since, other than a tiny side table, it's the only thing in the master bedroom.

I save all my Christmas cards. I think I like cards more than gifts. This Santa card is my favorite of all time. It's from some old co-worker I hardly knew, but it's awesome. You can't tell, but it's all sparkly.

I think this bed is magic. I'm secretly hoping for the flu so Shane will have to stay home to take care of the kids while I stay in bed all day.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

I love the snow. I love walking in it, playing in it and kissing in it. There has been an obscenely large amount of snow for Boise this season. That would be due to my "snow power". Tennessee also is aware of my strange power over the winter weather. That's why they kicked me out. Bunch of wussies.

Now the snow has suddenly vanished. I'm putting all my superhero power towards bringing a Christmas blizzard this way. Less power than a couple years ago though. My powers worked a little too well then.

Let me know if there's a city you want me to focus my powers on and I will see what I can do.

By the way. Regarding Friday's super depressing post, Shane did make it up to me. He brought me flowers and we went out the next night. We were going to go to the Cheesecake Factory, but when we were almost there he looked at me and said "you don't want to go to the Cheesecake Factory". He got back on the freeway and we drove downtown to a restaurant that was just so me. Authentic Italian food with low lights and exposed brick. My meal was filled with non kid elements like homemade spinach fettucini, artichokes, capers, wine reductions and olive tapenade. And a chocolate torte with Peppermint tea for good measure. It was very nice and tearless. Thanks for your sweet comments. They made me feel much better. Even better than the chocolate torte.

Friday, December 3, 2010

So I'm a stay at home mom. If you are one of these yourself, you probably don't need any further explanation. But if not, here goes. I stay home. ALL DAY LONG. My errands are pre-school drop off and library hour. Grocery store trips and visits to the pediatrician. I could spend my entire life in yoga pants and, except for church, I don't think anyone would notice.

Now I'm immensely grateful I am able to stay home with my kids. I love experiencing their young lives. But let me tell you, it's a sacrifice. The total loss of real income for one. Exiting the career world completely. The mind numbing monotony of it all. I've mentioned in previous posts that this field of mommy-hood isn't exactly my style. I love it and I think I'm good at it, but it isn't my natural element.

Getting back to tonight. Tonight is Shane's company Christmas party. When we got the invite and I saw it was semi-formal at a beautiful hotel I was ecstatic. I love dressing up and going out. Love love love it. I love wearing my highest heels without worrying about tripping while holding a child. I love to wear my nicest clothes without worrying about sticky hands and snot. I like carrying a tiny clutch with only the barest necessities. All of it reminds me about who I was before I was "mom".

So here I am. Dressed to the nine, hair in a up-do that required about 50 bobbypins and half a bottle of hairspray. My nails are manicured with a soft silver paint and I pulled out the "good jewelry". I look seriously great. Except for the fact that my carefully shadowed eyes are blood shot from crying. I just got off the phone with the babysitter letting her know we would not be needing her after all.

Shane's flight from Portland was delayed and won't be home until after the party is over. I didn't notice I was crying until I saw the drip marks on my gorgeous new shoes.

I'm going to bed. When I wake up, I have several pairs of yoga pants in the dryer to choose from.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

let's be friends

Hi! I'm Natalie

Hey there! Welcome to my yellow blog. A place where I try to keep the gray days away by looking to some of the sunny things of life. How amazing motherhood is (except on the days it almost kills me), loving every moment of having a toddler (HA!) the joys of domesticity (and sometimes paying someone else to do it). Finding myself in Idaho (Whaaaaa???) and really loving it! A place to find many lovelies to cheer and inspire. (And indulge my particular obsession with jewelry, photography and the color yellow.) Welcome and please feel free to stay awhile.